LA: Tell us a little bit about why this particular musical interested you?
CL: Footloose has always been one of my dream shows to be a part of because dance is such a big part of it.

LA: For those that are unfamiliar with Footloose can you tell us about the show?

CL: The show is about kids fighting for their rights in the small town of Bomont, TX, where they have made a law against everything from drugs/alcohol to dancing. In the beginning, the kids in town followed these laws even though they didn’t agree with them. But when Ren, a new kid from Chicago, turns the town upside down, the rest of his classmates face the decision of whether to follow or fight the law.

LA: Talk about the character that you play in Footloose. How have you developed this character?

CL: I am a member of the teen ensemble in Footloose, which means I dance more than anything else. As an ensemble member, there’s only so much you can do to develop your character because you don’t want to draw attention away from the principle roles. However, I have been trying to get into my character more by imagining what life would be like if things like dancing were against the law and then portraying those emotions on stage.

LA: Why should people come and see Footloose?

CL: It’s a great show for all ages and there’s something for everyone. Adults can identify with the parents in the show, and the kids with their counterparts on stage. Furthermore, the message of fighting for what you believe in is one that everyone can relate to.

LA: Talk about your fellow cast members, how do you see their characters developing? Any that you are particularly amazed at?

CL: I can honestly say that I think the cast of Footloose is incredibly talented. From the first rehearsal, the actors in the principle roles had such great chemistry, and it just gets better every day. Everyone has been working really well together, and that kind of energy just makes the show that much more believable for the audience.

LA: What do you feel are the "wow" elements of Footloose?

CL: I think the big contemporary musical numbers are a really powerful part of the show, as well as the multiple dance numbers.

LA: What is your favorite aspect of the show?

CL: My favorite part of the show is definitely all the dancing. Dance has always been a big part of my life, so the amount within this show makes it a lot of fun for me.

LA: Tell us what is something that you are particular excited about this show coming to together? For example, a certain scene, costumes, set, lights, etc?

CL: I’m really excited to see everything come together and get a sense of the final product, but I think the costumes and styling are what I’m most excited for.

LA: What is your favorite play or musical? Why?

CL: I would have to say that Chicago and Rent are tied as my top show right now. Both are fun, controversial shows with great music (the jazz style of Chicago and the rock score of Rent). Chicago also has the dance element that I love.

LA: What is your dream role to play on stage?

CL: My two dream roles go along with my two favorite musicals. I would love the opportunity to be either Velma Kelly in Chicago, or Mimi in Rent (or both, if I could be so lucky).

LA: What is the first production you were ever involved with? What did you do in the production?

CL: The first show I was involved in was Dear Edwina Jr. at my middle school in 6th grade. I was just a member of the ensemble, but I did get a small solo in which I sang the letter my character had written to “Edwina”.

LA: Please tell us a little bit about yourself?

CL: I am 19 years old and I love performing. I have been dancing since the age of 3, and in musicals and plays since 6th grade. I graduated in June 2010, and after a year of figuring out what I wanted to do with my life I am finally on my way to Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia to be a musical theater major.

We met Emily and Monica Swinney after a performance of Wait Until Dark and we were struck by their story as a military family. They had planned as a family to attend Christmas in the Airwaves t Lyric Arts in December 2015 ut were left with one empty seat when Adam was unexpectedly called away to serve.

This year, they had hoped he would be home to see Christmas Story, ut unfortunately, he is currently serving in Iraq. Emily and Monica plan to attend the show on closing weekend. So, we wanted to take a moment to tell their story in recognition of all that military families do in service of our country. Here is their story.

As the holiday season begins, we wanted to take a moment to say thanks to all those who are giving to Lyric Arts by volunteering their time. We have a very busy season with two holiday shows and we asked Gina Sauer to share her thoughts about our volunteers as well as what are needs at this December.

It is that time of year when we come to you and ask for your support through individual donations. Give to the Max Day 2016 is coming up this week (Thursday, Nov. 17) and we are asking all of you to help us rally support to help achieve our goals!

This year, we are celebrating our 21st season and as you may have read already in our blog entitled #LyricArtsIsLegal, we are growing fast and we need the funds to keep pace with that growth.

Therefore, we thought it would be fun to center our fundraising campaign goals around the number 21. We have sent some big goals for our year-end fundraising campaign but we are confident that the love and passion for our theater runs deep and that our supporters will heed the call and rise to the challenge.

"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." But wait! A mouse is stirring, because Santa missed his house last year. Before you can say "Merry Christmas!” we're off on a wild adventure involving a mouse, an elf, and a spunky little girl who just won't take no for an answer.

Lyric Arts has turned 21, we have now reached “adulthood” and we are officially legal.

“Saying, ‘We’ve turned 21, so now we are legal,’ started as a joke amongst staff members. But, it has really struck a chord with our community of artists and audiences because, in some ways, it is a really accurate description of where we are as a theater company. Lyric Arts has come out of its adolescence and is beginning the next step in its development. It’s our early adulthood,” says Laura Tahja Johnson, Lyric Arts’ Executive and Artistic Director.

Humorist Jean Shepherd's memoir of growing up in the Midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher, and even Santa Claus himself, at Higbee's Department Store. The consistent response: "You'll shoot your eye out!"

REVIEW: Cherry and Spoon recently visited Lyric Arts to see Always... Patsy Cline. Here is what she had to say: "The new production at Lyric Arts in Anoka is perfectly cast, full of heart, and highly entertaining for anyone whose ever heard Patsy's music, and let's face it - who hasn't?"

Find out what else Cherry and Spoon thought of the show and watch a video featuring Gracie Anderson and Catherine Battocletti talking about "Capturing Cline."

In just over a week, Gracie Anderson will take the stage as Patsy Cline in Always... Patsy Cline opening Friday, October 14. It will be the sounds of Gracie's voice that fills the stage and brings audiences back in time to reminisce about how these Patsy Cline classics came to life.

We invite you to take a look at a top ten list of Patsy Cline songs and tell us your favorite. And to get you started on that journey down memory, please watch our video with Lyric Arts alum, Kate Beahan singing a beautiful medley.

Lyric Arts

Lyric Arts Main Street Stage, located in the heart of historic downtown Anoka, offers a full season of live theater (including musicals, dramas, comedies, and children’s productions) and intimate live music events as part of their “Music in the ‘Burbs” Concert Series.

The Main Street Stage (formerly the Anoka Cinema Building) was fully renovated in 2001 and features free parking, a warm and welcoming environment, and a cozy 228-seat bowl-style theater with comfortable stadium seating—there isn’t a bad seat in the house!

Lyric Arts’ lobby boasts a concession stand and bar, serving wine, beer, candy, soft drinks, fresh-popped popcorn, Caribou Coffee, and other hot beverages, all of which you can take right into the theater with you.